Located in the West MacDonnell National Park,
Simpsons Gap is one of the more well
known gaps in the West MacDonnell Range, being only 26 km west of Alice
Springs.

During periods of rainfall in
the region, many of the gorges, waterways and dry riverbeds fill with water. If
enough rain falls, creating pools of water, nature takes its course and life
appears as if from nowhere.

Among the number of frogs species found at
Simpsons Gap is
the
Main’s Frog, also known as the Sheep Frog, due to the frog calls sounding like
bleating sheep.

Main’s Frog - Cyclorana maini

A stout small water-holding frog has adapted to desert conditions. Usually found
in temporary pools in watercourses, claypans and other short-lived bodies of
water. One of the burrowing frogs, it survives the dry periods by absorbing
water into its body, burrowing deep underground, and encasing itself in a
watertight bag (cocoon), awaiting the next major rain fall. Its skin may vary
from pale grey-brown, olive-brown, dull green on its back, with darker patches.
The back is smooth or slightly rough or warty in appearance. Look for the
distinct pale stripe that runs along the spine. There is often a dark lateral
head stripe. The male frogs breeding call sounds like the bleating of sheep,
hence its other more common name of ‘Sheep Frog’.